opened her heart to that kind and sincere friend on every subject which had given her uneasiness, and received from her much advice, and much comfort; after which she remained quite composed, and when alone, spent most of her time in prayer. When

her mother came, she was enableď to speak words of comfort to her, and took that opportunity of pressing home upon her mind, the necessity of knowing and serving God, if we would hope to be supported in affliction, or prepared for death.

Early next day, Jessy was visited by her doctor. He felt her pulse.

'You are no worse to-day, Jessy,' said he kindly.

'No, Sir, thank God,' replied Jessy.

•You remember what I said to you yesterday, Jessy, that when the patient had strength for it, we made no delays, after having determined that an operation was necessary.'

'I do, Sir,' replied Jessy, becoming very pale, and I trust I am ready.'

'We think of to-day,' said the doctor gently.

'To-day!' repeated Jessy. Well, Sir, whenever you think it best.'

•God will support you, Jessy; put your whole trust in him,' said the doctor. 'I will now send the nurse to make you ready. Do not fear. It will not last long.' The doctor left her, and Jessy prayed fervently for support. In a little, the nurse came and spoke very encouragingly. All necessary preparations were soon made for Jessy to be taken to the place where the operation was to be performed. The doctor came again and felt her pulse.

It will soon be over, my good girl, remember God is with you,' said he kindly. 'I hope you are to do it, Sir,' said Jessy earnestly.

‘A much more skilful doctor is to do it, Jessy; one, in comparison of whom I am only a beginner.'

O! Sir, I wish you would do it, rather than any other doctor. I would feel, when it was a servant of God who made me suffer, more as if it was the hand of my Lord.'

"It is your Lord's hand, Jessy, whatever instrument he pleases to use. It is still his gracious, gentle hand; and it is his mercy which makes even this severe trial as easy as the greatest skill can make it.

It is so, indeed,' said Jessy.

'I will be near you all the time,' added the doctor kindly.

'More mercy,' whispered Jessy, as she was carried from her bed.

The nurse had put her shawl over her head, and desired her not to look, as the sight of the necessary preparations would only frighten her, and Jessy scrupulously obeyed this injunction.

In less than an hour, the operation was over, and Jessy again laid in bed. She said afterwards, that she had suffered less than she expected; and that all the time she felt as sure of the presence of her Lord and Saviour, as if the veil had been withdrawn, and she admitted amongst the spirits of the 'just made perfect.'

For some days, Jessy was kept very quiet.

Her mother, and the school-mistress, visited her, but she was only allowed to speak to them for a few minutes. To the mistress, she said, Pray for me my dear mistress, that the Lord may be present with me, that he may continue to support me, and enable me to rest satisfied that all is best.' To her mother, she said, 'The Lord has fulfilled his promise to me. I called upon him, and he delivered me from all fear, and enabled me to submit willingly to whatever he saw to be good for me. O! mother,' added she earnestly, why will you not come to Christ? O! if you only knew him! Think of all he has done for us! O! be persuaded to listen to his blessed and gentle voice! Mother, why will you die? You must perish if you reject him, and live as you do.' Mrs. Grey wept when Jessy spoke this to her, but she did no more. She did not offer up one prayer. She knew, that if she came to Christ, she must give up all her sins; and she preferred them to the favour of her Saviour. If she had prayed

to him, he would have delivered her from the power of sin; but she did not wish to be delivered. O what a choice! A choice for eternity! Sin in this world,—everlasting wo in the next! Who would believe that rational creatures could be capable of such unutterable folly as to make such a choice?

Jessy remained for several weeks in the Infirmary, after undergoing the operation; and during that time, she saw, to her great grief, that her mother was more than ever given up to sin. The truth was, that Mrs. Grey, while Jessy was at home, had been in some degree restrained by her presence, and had also found her house more attractive, for Jessy was kind-hearted and cheerful, and when her mother was in good humour, she could at times while away her thoughts, and keep her tolerably happy at home; but now, when Jessy was absent, and Mrs Grey had no companion in her solitude, but her own evil conscience, she never staid alone a moment when she could